Plan To Install Vehicle Immobilizers In All New Automobiles

TORONTO, July 31, 2007 – Effective September 1 this year, Transport Canada will make it mandatory for all new cars, vans, light trucks, and SUVs to be equipped with anti-theft electronic immobilizers. The following Canadian vehicle manufacturers have recently announced their plans to equip 2008 model vehicles in Canada with immobilizers meeting the requirements of the Canadian standard (ULCS338/98):

Audi

DaimlerChrysler

Ford

General Motors

Hyundai

Jaguar

LandRover

Mercedes-Benz

Nissan

Saab

Subaru

Volkswagen

Volvo

Anti-theft immobilizers make it more difficult to steal vehicles. According to the 2006 listing of most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada, released by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), none of the top 10 had an approved immobilizer.

Rick Dubin, Vice-President, Investigative Services, IBC, states: “Immobilizers are highly effective at deterring car thieves. In terms of the stats for IBC’s November 2006 release, you have to go down the list to the 28th most-frequently-stolen spot to find a vehicle that registered a high theft frequency despite the fact that it is protected by an immobilizer.” He adds: “It just underlines the reality that theft is much more likely when a vehicle is not equipped with an immobilizer.”

Auto insurers in Canada set insurance rates based on claims experience for each vehicle model. There is now over eight years of claims data on vehicles with immobilizers meeting the Canadian standard, showing their effectiveness in reducing auto theft.

“By deciding to install immobilizers meeting the Canadian standard in their 2008 model vehicles, these vehicle manufacturers will help their customers save money on their insurance premiums under their comprehensive coverage,” says Dubin.

Immobilizers help protect vehicle owners and make communities safer by reducing auto theft and saving lives. Vehicle immobilizers arm when the vehicle is turned off, and prevent unauthorized starting. On average, 40 Canadians die and 65 are seriously injured each year due to auto theft.

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national trade association of the private property and casualty insurance industry. It represents more than 90% of the non-government home, car and business insurance in Canada. For more information, visit www.ibc.ca.